WALNUT CREEK — Susan Dodge and Cherie Persing of Pittsburg Community Theatre won Shellies at the recent 2015 ceremony at the Lesher Regional Arts Center in Walnut Creek.

Dodge received an award for “Outstanding Costumes in a Musical” for the PCT’s “South Pacific,” while Cherie Persing, a longtime PCT participant both on and offstage, won for her “Special Contribution to the Performing Arts.”

Persing, of Pittsburg, joined PCT nearly 20 years ago when her daughter, Shelley, won a role in the musical “Oliver.” She later joined her daughter on stage in “Fiddler on the Roof” and also helped sew costumes for the musical.

“Cherie has been invaluable as our prop manager,” said PEAHOF inductee Betty Brown, PCT’s executive manager. “She ferrets out unusual props that we need. She’s organized and dependable and very pleasant to work with. She’s also an accomplished actress with comedic and character roles.”

Persing, who is PCT’s board secretary, had previous experience with props while working for Producers Capital Corp. when it was in Orinda. She was the company’s production coordinator for four years. Part of her job was obtaining special props as well as scouting locations, hiring tech staff and more.

Persing has performed at previous Shellies, but this was her first time she was awarded.

“I didn’t win it for being a performer, but I think this is better than that,” Persing said. “They don’t have Shellies for props or for parents carpooling kids to rehearsals.

“When thinking about what it means, it means a great deal of things not for doing one thing. You don’t do this for the recognition, but it sure feels good. I’m so, so excited. I’m still glowing. It makes me feel good to be part of PCT’s history.”

Dianna Schepers, director of “South Pacific,” said Dodge was a worthy recipient.

“There were over 200 costumes for the show,” she said. “She put in over 300 hours scouring various Army-Navy surplus stores for uniforms, and gathering netting, camouflage and parachutes. She not only made most all the specialty costumes, but coordinated others to help sew costumes.”

“South Pacific” was PCT’s first major musical in five years. The troupe will present “Into the Woods” Feb 27-March 8 at the California Theatre.

“It’s very gratifying the show was recognized,” Schepers said of “South Pacific.” “We knew we did a good show. We all felt like we won when Susan’s name was announced.”